Japan:
¶ The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution reported that 40% of the fish caught off the coast of Fukushima were still testing positive for radioactive contamination above the government’s safety own limits. Both TEPCO and the Japanese government are disputing the finding. [The Japan Daily Press]
¶ Experts are puzzled by high radiation exposure found in residents who were well outside the exclusion zone established for the Fukushima Disaster. [Asahi Shimbun]
¶ In Japan, shipments of solar cells have increased 80% in three months. [IBTimes.co.uk]
¶ Small Japanese political opposition parties are running on anti-nuclear platforms for the upcoming elections. [Asahi Shimbun]
¶ Nissan is improving the range and reducing the price of the Leaf, the world’s most popular electric car. [Washington Post]
World:
¶ Chinese car manufacturers sold only 235 electric cars worldwide in the second quarter, a decline of 31% from the first. US companies sold 7800 in the same quarter, an increase of 28%. [Caixin Media]
¶ A plan to provide 15% of Europe’s power from solar plants in North Africa appears to be stalling. Two important companies pulled out, and the Spanish government is waiting to sign on. The Chinese government might decide to invest in the project, however. [Today’s Energy Solutions]
¶ Worldwide renewable energy prices are dropping, and are going below the costs of power from fossil fuels in many places. [Renewable Energy Magazine]
US:
¶ Friends of the Earth is urging the NRC to commit to full transparency and public participation in proceedings that could determine the future of Southern California Edison’s crippled San Onofre reactors. [eNews Park Forest]
¶ Hurricane Sandy illustrates the idea that the conventional grid is not as able to stand up to nature as renewable energy sources on microgrids. [Christian Science Monitor]
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